The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-06
At Westminster Abbey.

party. As its members descended from their
carriages, the ladies and officers advanced
to meet the Queen. The officiating clergy
were assembled in the nave of the
Abbey. When the Queen appeared at
the foot of the steps,, the clergymen
formed procession, headed by the minor MN
canons and the canon residentiary.. Then
came the Bishop of London, the Archbishops
of Canterbury and York and the Dean Of
Westminster. The heralds and the men,
berg of the royal household followed,
preceding the royal princes and relatives
of her Majesty, who walked three abreast,
the two lines nearest the Queen being COM
posed of the PRINCE of Wales and the Dukes OF
Connaught and Edinburgh and Prince Chris
tian, Crown Prince Frederick William, and
the Grand Duke of Hesse. The Queen then
came. She was Immediately followed by the
Master Of Horse and the Mistress OF the
Robes, the Princesses coming in pairs.
Prince Alfred of Edinburgh and the wo-
men of the bedchamber and ladies in waiting
and others closed the procession, with the
Captains of the corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms
was posted at different points in the
Abbey. As the procession filed up
the aisle Dr.. Bridge played the
march by Handel, and the royal family
slowly took their seats on the dais, the Queen
occupying the coronation chair, over the
back of which drooped the regal robes OF
state, which the Queen presently assumed
with the assistance OF the Mistress OF tne
Robes.
The Abbey was now blaze of magnifcence.
On the right of the royal dais the Lord Chan,
cellor. in his MAGNIFICENT robes of state and
flowing wig, a mass OF velvet and ermlne, was
seated. Behind him sat five hundred peers OF
the realm and their peeresses, attired in cos
tunes of rich velvet and sumptuous silks. Be
.,,J kl,ea co% fho II haavv
with their robes and insignia Of office, and the
diplomats, whose bosoms were covered with
decorations. On the left, and facing the Lord
Chancellor, was the Speaker of the House OF
Commons, also wearing his robes of office, with
the golden mace before him. Behind him
were the members Of the House of Commons
and their wives, all richly arrayed So, on
either side of her, the Queens eyes fell upon
two brilliant masses, splendid in colors and
dazzling with jewels.
The galleries were crowded with black
mass Of clergymen. Down the nave the eye
, was greeted with a bright array of military
and naval uniforms, and the dazzling Orien-
tai costumes of the Indian Rajahs, sparkling
with precious stones.
The scene was of more than regal splendor,
and must have reminded the Queen of the law
ish display of grandeur which signalized her
coronation Court officials who have seen both
say to-day's spectacle far exceeded that of the
coronation in magnifcence. Among the nota-
bles who could be seen from the press gallery
were Premier Salisbury, wearing the Order or
the Garter; Lord Cranbrook, Mr.. Gladstone, in
court uniform, with Mrs. Gladstone: James
Russell Lowell, and Mr. Blaine. In the gallery
overlooking the dais Queen Kapiolani and
Princess Liliuokalaui, in rich golden robes,
were seated in the sacrarium. Among the
ROYALTIES who awaited the Queens arrival
were the blind King of Saxony, who was led
to seat in the choir near the dais, beside
whom sat the Queen of the Belgians and
Grown Prince Rudolph Of Austria
A fanfare of silver trumpets announced the
Queens arrival. Another fanfare init
mated that she had taken her seat in the
coronation chair. Outside there had been
heard a continuous roll OF cannon
saiutes, and pealing of bells, all ming
ling with the thunderous acclamations
of the people. But sudden hush fell
everywhere when the Queen, seated, took the
PRAYER book in her hand and bowed her head
for short interval in silent prayer. The ser.
vice then commenced, the Canon intonlng and
the choir responding, with an appeal to Al
mighty God in the Queens behalf. This was
followed by the singing of ''Te-Deum" to a
setting by tho Prince Consort, which was
grandly effective. After the Lords Prayer
the Archbishop of Canterbury, stepping &c
the front of the communion table, read the
three special prayers prepared for the
occasion. During the reading of the pray
ers the foreign princes and princessess
knelt, while the members Of the English roy
alfanily, following the national custom, sim
ply inclined forward. The psalm chosen
thee in the day of trouble" The Dean
of Westminster next read the les
son for the day First Peter, chapter q.
Then followed the anthem, "Blessed be the
Lord thy God, who hath delighted in thee, u
written especially for the jubilee. In the
middle of the anthem was inserted by re.
quest Of the Queen, the chorale 'Gotha, "
composed by her husband, Prince Al
bert. The remainder Of the service was
conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The final organ solo was prolonged TO
enable the CONGREGATION to join in the prayer.
Before the cessation of the strains the cere-
mony ended >.
The Qneen, rising from the coronation
chair, signaled to the heir apparent to ap-
proach her. The Prince of Wales immedi-
ately stepped to her Majesty's side, and,
making a low obeisance, kissed her
hands. The Queen kissed her son on the
cheek before permitting him to depart.
The Crown Prince Of Germany next ap-
preached and kissed her Majestys hand, an
example which was followed by every other
prince on the dais. In each case her Majesty
returned the salute with a motherly kiss GU
the cheek or forehead. The princesses on the
left Of the Queen, headed by the Grown Prin-
cess of Germany and the Princess of Wales,
then went through similar ceremony. The
salutation of the first-named lady was remark
able for its warmth and heartiness, and the
more remarkable in the fact that just as her
ROYAL Highness was about to retire her Majesty
called her back and kissed her second time
Then her Majesty intimated to the LordCham-
berlain that Sue was ready, and the return
Journey was commenced, the organlst play
Inc the March of the Priests in "Atha!le' as
the procession, in the same order as at the
commencement Of the proceedings, left the
sacred edifice
The Queen left the Abbey, leaning on the
arm of the Lord Chamberlain. The process
sion, which came by the Thames Embank-
ment, returned via Whitehall passing the War,
Admiralty, and other State departments,
which were decorated with flags and festoons
all along their fronts. The return was made
amid prolonged and unbroken succession Of
popular acclamatfons, the Queen responding
by bowling to the right and left. The process
sion reached buckingham Palace shortly
after 8 o'clock. and five minutes
palace amid the most tumult-
uouS cheering with her escort of Generals
on either side The Marquis and Marchioness
of Salisbury, who had hurried TO the palace
by a shorter way from the Abbey, were
present to receive her.
Incidents of the Day.
Other Americans present at the service in
the Abbey We're United States Ministers
Phelps and Lawton, Senators Mcpherson and